The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1887-02-24
Worthy Of Emulation.

Journalists and musicians frequently meet.
Cu>tomary the fooIi-ht> intervene. across
which narrow gulf one is expected to Judge of
the others merits. Tie decision is rlroniclcd
on the printed page and appropriated by 4
reading public. How qlleery the verdict often
appears, this summing UP of Euterpe'S disciple
by the winged Pegasus rf the press. Both
serve eNacting masters; each is usually honest
in endeavor>: yet more light than RAYS from
the screened gas jets emit is necessary to endow
the critic with power to understandings accom-
pliSh his task. Assumption at all times i'll
supplies the place Of capahity, and d)ubly 50
III such an instance. Personal preference often
displays itself where analytical skill should
perform its office. The tone of unfoundtd
superiority CRATES harShly upon those " ho read
faulty and misleading criticisms. knowing them
to be such; yet krener still falls the injustice
upon the ear of competent musician who per-
formed for public qualification, and finds >tuN-
bling-block> to advancement thus unkndly
strewn in his path. This tco common lack of
sympathy between the artist and his censor
may never be generally supplied. In some
instances, fortunately, remedial agencies are at
work. 1t may be deemed an event worthy of
notice when a writer for an influential paper
strives to wiring from the irregular interval
between exhaustive hours a his desk and re-
storing >lumber some opportunity, however
limited. to pursue musical studies. Such an
instance may be cited in the person of Mr..
Richard Aldrch, the talented and Versatile
writer who is pushing his way with sure steps
up the journalistic ladder. After graduating
at Harvard he secured Il position on the >tatf of
the Providence journal. Among other work
he finds con@ena employment III editing
the musical and dramatic departments of the
journal and Bulletin. The field Of the drl-
matte critic is very broad. it will not he
claimed tn It Mr.. Al,lrich either py inheritance
or divinaton has at command that comprehcn-
>ve knowledge of the dramas radition> born
by long experience. familiarity with the
monarchs and customs Of the stage, such as "A
score of years acquaintance will endow, is
with scholastic qualifications alike Indispensable
to the ready critic. With better trained col
leagues to fill these larger demands, Mr.. Al
lrich finds in musical matters lesser Obstacles
His linguistic attainmrntS enable him to place
before readers the latest news from French
and German publications. ensuring a freshness
of translation unknown in news departments
less happily equipped. To broaden his abil-
ites in musical analytc> he has recently COM
mcnced studies upon the vioonrello, under the
competent instruction of Miss Webster. of
Boston. Convcr>ant with the difficulties to
overcome his courage in attacking them is
worthy of applause. TO whatever skill he
may attain little interest may be felt Probably
sclf-gratiticaton is the highest anticipated. At
best his performances would delight only a few
persons; but the resutance evidenced in a
stronger line of musical criticism should be
wide-reaching, encouraging to artists As it is
educating to the public. Mr. Aldrch'S en-
ample is worthy of, and should receive. ju-
uiciol,s imitation, MM r.